Matheson voted against the July 11, 2013 Farm Bill. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote.<ref>[http://votesmart.org/candidate/50722/jim-matheson?categoryId=4&type=V,S,R,E,F,P,E,E#.UlwzMxCBxVI ''Vote Smart'', "Matheson on agriculture", accessed October 14, 2013]</ref> The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/us/politics/house-bill-would-split-farm-and-food-stamp-programs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0 ''New York Times'', "House Republicans Push Through Farm Bill, Without Food Stamps", accessed September 17, 2013]</ref>

+

Matheson voted against the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote.<ref>[http://votesmart.org/candidate/50722/jim-matheson?categoryId=4&type=V,S,R,E,F,P,E,E#.UlwzMxCBxVI ''Vote Smart'', "Matheson on agriculture", accessed October 14, 2013]</ref> The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/12/us/politics/house-bill-would-split-farm-and-food-stamp-programs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0 ''New York Times'', "House Republicans Push Through Farm Bill, Without Food Stamps", accessed September 17, 2013]</ref>

====Immigration====

====Immigration====

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According to a ''Washington Post'' article in December 2012, Matheson is 1 of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents in [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2014|2014]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/12/07/house-democrats-face-long-odds-in-2014/ ''Washington Post'' "House Democrats Face Long Odds in 2014," December 7, 2012]</ref>

According to a ''Washington Post'' article in December 2012, Matheson is 1 of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents in [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2014|2014]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/12/07/house-democrats-face-long-odds-in-2014/ ''Washington Post'' "House Democrats Face Long Odds in 2014," December 7, 2012]</ref>

+

+

Matheson made ''Roll Call'''s "Ten Most Vulnerable" list for the third quarter. Matheson is a Democrat in a right-leaning district. While he has managed to hang on to his seat the last few election cycles, he won the 2012 election by only a slim margin and is expected to face a tough campaign. <ref>[http://www.rollcall.com/news/roll_calls_10_most_vulnerable_house_members_revealed-228867-1.html?pg=2 ‘’Roll Call’’, “Roll Call's 10 Most Vulnerable House Members Revealed”, accessed November 5, 2013]</ref>

The National Republican Congressional Committee listed Matheson's seat as one of seven early targets in the 2014 congressional elections.<ref>[http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/277453-nrcc-promising-to-stay-on-offense-targests-seven-dems ''The Hill,'' "NRCC, promising to 'stay on offense,' targets seven Dems," January 16, 2013]</ref> The seven targets align perfectly with the seven most Republican districts currently held by Democrats, according to FairVote's partisanship index. Matheson's district ranks as the 2nd most Republican (39% D).<ref>[http://www.fairvote.org/nrcc-targets-foreshadow-power-of-partisanship-in-2014-elections#.UP-NW4aMw6y ''FairVote'' "NRCC Targets Foreshadow Power of Partisanship in 2014 Elections," January 18, 2013]</ref>

The National Republican Congressional Committee listed Matheson's seat as one of seven early targets in the 2014 congressional elections.<ref>[http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/277453-nrcc-promising-to-stay-on-offense-targests-seven-dems ''The Hill,'' "NRCC, promising to 'stay on offense,' targets seven Dems," January 16, 2013]</ref> The seven targets align perfectly with the seven most Republican districts currently held by Democrats, according to FairVote's partisanship index. Matheson's district ranks as the 2nd most Republican (39% D).<ref>[http://www.fairvote.org/nrcc-targets-foreshadow-power-of-partisanship-in-2014-elections#.UP-NW4aMw6y ''FairVote'' "NRCC Targets Foreshadow Power of Partisanship in 2014 Elections," January 18, 2013]</ref>

2011-2012

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[8] For more information pertaining to Matheson's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[9]

National security

American response in Syria

More than 100 House lawmakers signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to call Congress back into session if he planned to use military force in Syria.[10]

Rep. Scott Rigell wrote in the letter in August 2013, “engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.”[10][11]

The members of Congress believed that Obama should have asked Congress for permission before engaging in Libya. The letter asked, “If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missles, [sic] 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute ‘hostilities,’ what does?”[11]

The letter stated, “If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request. We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict."[11]

National Defense Authorization Act

Matheson voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[12]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

Matheson voted in support of HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[12]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Matheson voted in opposition of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[12]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Matheson voted in support of HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[13] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[12]

Economy

Farm Bill

Matheson voted against the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote.[14] The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps.[15]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

Matheson voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[16] The vote largely followed party lines.[17]

Healthcare

House vote on Obamacare

Matheson was one of two Democrats that voted to defund Obamacare in September 2013. The bill also included funding the government for the rest of 2013. Matheson said, "It is irresponsible to add unrelated provisions to legislation to keep our government running. I have always preferred straightforward legislating that avoids political games. However, I believe we should avoid shutting down the government, and I voted for a continuing resolution to keep the legislative process working toward that end today."[18]

Social issues

House vote on abortion ban

On June 18, 2013, the House voted 228-196 on HR1797, mostly along party lines, to approve a ban on abortions occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy.[19][20][21] A number of members crossed over party lines in their votes. The vote was largely symbolic, as the Senate was not expected to take up the bill, and the White House threatened to veto the legislation.[22] Matheson was one of six Democratic members who voted in favor of the ban.

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Matheson voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 16 Democrats that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257-167 vote on January 1, 2013.[24]

Campaign themes

2012

According to Matheson's website, his campaign themes included:

Small Businesses: "...worked to provide tax, lending and investment incentives to small businesses so that they can grow and hire."

Budget: "...believes it is fiscally reckless and morally wrong to pile debt on future generations...the only way to turn things around is to make serious structural changes to the federal budget process."

Healthcare: " We pay too much and get too little out of our system and the costs are driving our country deeper into debt."[25]

Elections

2014

According to a Washington Post article in December 2012, Matheson is 1 of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents in 2014.[26]

Matheson made Roll Call's "Ten Most Vulnerable" list for the third quarter. Matheson is a Democrat in a right-leaning district. While he has managed to hang on to his seat the last few election cycles, he won the 2012 election by only a slim margin and is expected to face a tough campaign. [27]

The National Republican Congressional Committee listed Matheson's seat as one of seven early targets in the 2014 congressional elections.[28] The seven targets align perfectly with the seven most Republican districts currently held by Democrats, according to FairVote's partisanship index. Matheson's district ranks as the 2nd most Republican (39% D).[29]

According to the website Daily Kos, this race was one of nine top-ballot 2012 races that contained Libertarian candidates who received more total votes than was the difference between the Democratic winner and the GOP runner-up. In this case, Jim Vein took in over 3,000 more votes than the number that separated Matheson and Love.[34]

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Jim Matheson, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Jim Matheson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Morgan Philpot (R), Randall Hinton (Constitution), Dave Glissmeyer (Unaffiliated) and Wayne L. Hill (Unaffiliated) in the general election.[35]

U.S. House, Utah District 2 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Jim Mathesonincumbent

50.4%

127,151

Republican

Morgan Philpot

46%

116,001

Constitution

Randall Hinton

1.8%

4,578

Unaffiliated

Dave Glissmeyer

1.2%

2,945

Unaffiliated

Wayne L. Hill

0.6%

1,604

Total Votes

252,279

2008

On November 4, 2008, Jim Matheson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bill Dew (R), Dennis Ray Emery (Constitution) and Mathew Arndt (L) in the general election.[36]

U.S. House, Utah District 2 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Jim Mathesonincumbent

63.4%

220,666

Republican

Bill Dew

34.5%

120,083

Constitution

Dennis Ray Emery

0.9%

3,000

Libertarian

Mathew Arndt

1.3%

4,576

Total Votes

348,325

2006

On November 7, 2006, Jim Matheson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated LaVar Christensen (R), W. David Perry (Constitution), Austin Sherwood Lett (L) and Bob Brister (G) in the general election.[37]

U.S. House, Utah District 2 General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Jim Mathesonincumbent

59%

133,231

Republican

LaVar Christensen

37.3%

84,234

Constitution

W. David Perry

1.5%

3,395

Libertarian

Austin Sherwood Lett

0.7%

1,620

Green

Bob Brister

1.5%

3,338

Total Votes

225,818

2004

On November 2, 2004, Jim Matheson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Swallow (R), Jeremy Paul Petersen (Constitution), Ronald R. Amos (Personal Choice) and Patrick S. Diehl (G) in the general election.[38]

U.S. House, Utah District 2 General Election, 2004

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Jim Mathesonincumbent

54.8%

187,250

Republican

John Swallow

43.2%

147,778

Constitution

Jeremy Paul Petersen

1%

3,541

Personal Choice

Ronald R. Amos

0.4%

1,210

Green

Patrick S. Diehl

0.6%

2,189

Total Votes

341,968

2002

On November 5, 2002, Jim Matheson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Swallow (R), Ron Copier (L) and Patrick Diehl (G) in the general election.[39]

U.S. House, Utah District 2 General Election, 2002

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Jim Mathesonincumbent

49.4%

110,764

Republican

John Swallow

48.7%

109,123

Libertarian

Ron Copier

0.7%

1,622

Green

Patrick Diehl

1.2%

2,589

Total Votes

224,098

2000

On November 7, 2000, Jim Matheson won election to the United States House. He defeated Derek W. Smith (R), Bruce Bangerter (Independent American), Peter Pixton (L) and Steven Alberts Voris (Unaffiliated) in the general election.[40]

U.S. House, Utah District 2 General Election, 2000

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Jim Matheson

55.9%

145,021

Republican

Derek W. Smith

41.3%

107,114

Independent American

Bruce Bangerter

1.8%

4,704

Libertarian

Peter Pixton

0.8%

2,165

Unaffiliated

Steven Alberts Voris

0.2%

597

Total Votes

259,601

Polls

2012

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Matheson is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Matheson raised a total of $12,940,428 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 2, 2013.[41]

On October 15, 2012, quarterly reports were submitted by campaigns to the Federal Election Commission. The political blog Daily Kos did an analysis of the fundraising figures and found Republican challenger Mia Love outraised Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson in the third quarter. Love raised $999,000 and had $457,000 in cash-on-hand while Matheson raised $469,000 and had $307,000 in cash-on-hand.[47]

2010

Breakdown of the source of Matheson's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Matheson won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Matheson's campaign committee raised a total of $1,803,801 and spent $2,465,527.[48]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Matheson missed 82 of 8,664 roll call votes from January 2001 to April 2013. This amounts to .9%, which is better than the median of 2.1% among current congressional representatives as of April 2013.[51]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Matheson paid his congressional staff a total of $1,017,997 in 2011. Overall, Utah ranks 17th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[52]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Matheson's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $558,026 and $1,420,000. That averages to $989,013, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2011 of $5,107,874. His average net worth increased by 3.4% from 2010.[53]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Matheson's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $543,025 to $1,370,000. That averages to $956,512.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[54]

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Matheson is 1 of 2 members who ranked 185th in the liberal rankings in 2012.[55]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Matheson was one of two members of congress who ranked 189th in the liberal rankings.[56]

Political positions

Voting with party

2013

Matheson voted with the Democratic Party 64.2% of the time, which ranked 201st among the 201 House Democratic members as of June 2013.[57]